SA photographer moves to Trafalgar

PIETER de Ras, one of South Africa­’s leading professional photographers, has relocated to Trafalgar and will open his gallery on Friday 27 May.

“The first photographic gallery dedicated only to photography on the South Coast was a lifelong ambition.

“This was realised when the old Victory pub become vacant in Trafalgar. Our aim is to showcase South African professional photographers, in addition to holding classes to improve photographic skills of the amateur. Adjacent to the gallery, a coffee house was created to become a meeting place for the local community and visitors, serving brunches, lunches and in between,” he said.

He will pursue his photographic career­, run a photographic gallery as well as teach photography to small groups.

He began his career in 1969 as a news photographer on two of Johannesburg’s largest daily newspapers, Vaderland and The Star, but quickly found his niche in fashion photography where his air for styling earned him an enviable reputation among local fashion editors. He established his own studio in 1976 and widened his portfolio to include advertising and commercial photography.

In the last few years De Ras’s focus has been on architectural interiors and still life photography, for which he has won numerous local and international awards, including the coveted Clio in New York, and a Gold Loerie for his work on the Apartheid Museum.

He was also named South African Professional Photographer of the year in 1989.

De Ras has travelled extensively for clients, most notably South African Airways, and has also been commissioned to produce several travelogues for local lifestyle magazines. President of the Professional Photographers of Southern Africa (PPSA) from 2006-2010, he also holds a fellowship with the PPSA in still life photography. He was also awarded his Honorary Fellowship for his contribution to the PPSA.

In September 2007, de Ras had the honour of being invited to be one of the founding members of the World Photography Academy, an initiative by SONY that aims to bring together the world’s leading photographers, public gallerists, curators and major picture editors.

De Ras accepted an invitation to be one of the judges in the inaugural Sony World Photography Awards to be held at the prestigious Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

It took place over three days and is the largest award of its kind. He is a founder member of the World Photographic Academy (WPA).

He completed the organisation of the successful 2008 and 2009 Sony Profoto Awards in Johannesburg.

De Ras was a member of the International Loupe Photographic Awards judging panel, and is currently a senior facilitator with the IAJ (Institute for the advancement of Journalism) where he lectures in camera technique a photographic proficiency to amateur and professional photographers.

De Ras has held two solo exhibitions and participated in various group exhibitions. He still undertakes local and international assignments.

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